Book Tour: People Tell Me Things + giveaway

Title: People Tell Me Things
Author: David Finkle
Published: 4 October 2011

*This tour is hosted by TLC Book Tours*

Quite recently, I've been obsessively fascinated with New York City. It's gotten to the point that I've been watching the new live stream out of the Statue of Liberty and angsting about being able to go back one day. Needless to say, I jumped at the chance to read David Finkle's new book People Tell Me Things, short stories about people's daily adventures in New York.

Unfortunately, my excitement was soon lost. The stories are all told about 'the in crowd' people: artists, writers, musicians, etc - basically, everyone who is better, richer, and more interesting than you. The stories mainly consisted of what I call First World Problems: affairs, lovers, and cheating are abound! Not everything put our American society in a good light.

Each individual story is meant to have a different narrator, yet I didn't not realize this until much later. I thought the narrator was David Finkle himself in all ten stories. Sometimes the stories flowed oddly, and I thought a new chapter was just a continuation of the last chapter. I skimmed the last bits of the book, guilty as charged. I was also a bit disappointed that I wasn't completely immersed in Manhattan, as I thought I would be. Except for brief mentions of locations (Madison Square Garden, MoMA), this book could've taken place in any city!

Granted, Finkle does do a good job at examining the humanistic side of each scenario/story. The stories are not purely for humor, shock, or just to tell. Each person is almost viewed psychoanalytically. Other stories had interesting aspects, such as Rembrandt Paints Again - anything having to do with Rembrandt is okay with me!

So maybe this book didn't completely fly with me, but don't simply take my word for it! TLC Book Tours is gracious enough to offer up a copy of the book to one of you readers! Form your own opinions and enter to win here.

Julia's Top Ten Books I Read That Were Outside Of My Comfort Zone

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

For future Top Ten Tuesday topics through February, check them out here!

Good *insert time of day* everyone! Julia here. Now it is time for a foray into books that we read, for one reason or another, that were outside of our comfort zone in...

Top Ten Books I Read That Were Outside Of My Comfort Zone

Before I begin, I figure I should define my comfort zone, as they are going to be different for everyone. If I have a stack of books in front of me and am looking to snuggle up after a long day of work, I reach for romance. If not romance, I go historical fiction. I guess you can also throw in the odd non-fiction book about language in here, too. Oh, and I guess YA...

1. The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss
There is a reason I don't normally read Fantasy. I don't feel like I get that "I just completed a book" warm fuzzy, because they never wrap up nicely. Well, I was told to read this book over and over again. I finally did, and it was awesome.

2. Fatherland - Robert Harris
For high school Western Civ class, we had to read two fiction books about history. My teacher had a list, and this one was on it. School books are not usually something I read for "fun" This was my first foray into Alternate History as well. It was awesome.

3. The Golden Compass - Philip Pullman
This was recommended to me by a teacher that had recommended a horrid book to me previously. It sounded a little too fantasy for my taste, but after reading it, I realized it was awesome.

4. The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkein
Another fantasy novel. AND a classic at that. I think the "movie" got me through The Two Towers section, but Return of the King, awesome.

5. 12 Angry Men - Reginald Rose
I don't normally read plays, and thus I was not looking forward to this book (it was forced upon me). But it turned out to be really interesting and highly enjoyable. It also comes along with an awesome movie.

6. The Brothers Karamazov - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
I also read this for a class, but it was of my own choosing. I was going through a slight love affair with Russian romance novels... or romance novels set in Russia, and decided to actually try some Russian lit. Outside of approximately 30 pages of completely random that had nothing to do with the plot, it was awesome. :) (sick of that word yet? there is four more )

7. The Lords of Discipline - Pat Conroy
This is a military fiction book. I .. no not willingly. But it was forced upon me and it was pleasantly surprising. The story telling quality was especially awesome, especially tied in with the characterization.

8. Darkly Dreaming Dexter - Jeff Lindsay
I found this in the library WAY before the Showtime show. I don't normally read horror or mystery, and this was an awesome mix of both. Who can say that it is in the comfort zone for someone to read via that first person narrative of a serial killer?

9. Much Ado About Nothing - William Shakespeare
Hilarious! WS is not on my "Oh I must read that!" shelf. But this was such a fun read. Especially with the helpful guide of ol' timey words. This one also comes with an awesome movie with some surprise stars. I think this is the Shakespeare one should read if one finds Shakespeare too hard/cumbersome. At least out of the ones I read.

10. Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style - Tim Gunn
Yeah. I am not really a girly girl, but I love my Tim Gunn. So reading a book on style? Outside that comfort zone. This book was really good though. I am pretty sure there is a new one I need to read. Awesome tidbit? Every time that I walk up stairs in heels, I hear Tim Gunn's voice telling me to put the whole shoe on the stair and not hang off the heel. :)

BONUS: Book that I want to read that is out of my comfort zone: Paradise Lost

So what's yours?

Paula wonders how your 2011 reading goals are going

Alright everyone, as I write this it's the last day of October and I have something to admit. I've been avoiding my Goodreads lately. "Why?" you may ask. Because I knew I would sign in and see this:










AUGH! What how did this happen? I was 2 books ahead only a month ago... right? or maybe that was in July...All I know is that the farther I get behind the less motivation I have to catch up. Also all the books on my to-read shelf are either really long or serious literature or both (like Doctor Zhivago or The Historian) not too many quick reads that I can knock out and catch back up with. Also since I found a job (yay?) I have less time to read which makes this goal seem more daunting for the next 2 months.

For the most part I've completed my 2011 reading goals (there were about 10)
but these last 3 (Read 75 books, Read "Count of Monte Cristo", and Read a Charles Dickens book) are really intimidating. I hope I'll be able to knock them out. But all of a sudden 2012 looks really close....

So I thought I would just check in on you all and see how you all are fairing on your 2011 reading goals. I hope everyone is a lot closer to achieving them than I am. Let us know in the comments.

Sorry this post is so short, but I actually have free time today so my reading chair awaits me!

The 2nd Annual Broke and Bookish Secret Santa!

Hello everyone! We are planning a Secret Santa exchange again --broke and bookish style. We did it last year and it was a TON of fun and we got great feedback from everyone! We want this to be a low key and fun Secret Santa that doesn't put too much of a damper on your wallet.

Please only sign up if you are truly interested and are committed to sending off a package.

Some guidelines:

* Books can be new or used. Use your discretion as far as used books go but please be kind and don't send something you wouldn't want to receive. They should be in good condition. Please pick at least one other goody to put in the package.

*We would love to open this up internationally and will make an effort to pair up people from the same countries to keep costs down. However, if anyone would like to do an international exchange, you can fill out that box on the form. It was hard on some people who had to send internationally but using The Book Depository could be a good option.

*Sign-ups will be open until November 18th. You will be paired up and will receive your partner's info within that week.

* Myself and maybe another (very trusted!) member of The Broke and the Bookish will be the only ones with access to your info.

*Packages need to be sent out during the week of December 6th-10th. The earlier the better as the mail is always slow during the holiday season.

* If you can do delivery confirmation on your package, that would be greatly appreciated to make sure that the package was sent.

* Please email me at brokeandbookish (at) gmail (dot) com when you receive your package so I can keep track of which packages have been accounted for.

* Feel free to grab the button to put on your sidebar or make your own!

Think you are interested?

Fill out this form!

Also, be sure to keep an eye out for my 2nd annual End of Year Book Survey that will be happening again this year!

Jessi Reviews "Anya's Ghost" by Vera Brosgol

Title/Author: Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol
Publisher/Year: First Second, 2011
How I Got This: Library copy 
Why I Read It: Totally grabbed my attention while I was searching the YA section 
Rating: 5 Stars 

Synopsis: Of all the things Anya expected to find at the bottom of an old well, a new friend wasn't one of them. Especially not a new friend who's been dead for a century. 

Falling down a well is bad enough, but Anya's normal life might actually be worse. She's embarrassed by her family, self-conscious about her body, and she's pretty much given up on fitting in at school. A new friend--even a dead one--is just what she needs. 


But Anya's new B.F.F. isn't kidding about the "forever" part...

Review: Wow. Where to start with this...

This is the first graphic novel I've ever read. It caught my eye as I was browsing through the library the other day, and I thought it was about time for me to try a graphic novel, so I picked it up.

And let me just say this--I LOVED it. It was SO flipping good. I have to admit (even though this is going to make me sound ridiculous), I never really had too much desire to read graphic novels, only because they seemed like glorified comic books to me. Well, silly me, now I want to read every one I can get my hands on.

This one was so good for a number of reasons. First of all, I really enjoyed the illustrations. C'mon now, the graphics are probably the most important part of a graphic novel, and these were phenomenal. They were nice and smooth; there was just enough detail without it being overwhelming. Not only that, but the emotions of the characters were crystal clear without having to come out and state "So-and-so was feeling whatever." Also, I LOVED the fact that this was done entirely in shades of black and white. I honestly didn't even notice that lack of color until about 3/4 of the way through. It was just that vivid for me.

The story itself was great, too. Here we have a teenage girl who is struggling to fit in at high school and trying to figure out just who she is in a cultural sense, as well. Anyone who has ever been a teenager or dealt with teenagers will be able to sympathize with Anya, but at the same time, you can't help but laugh at some of the stuff that comes out of her mouth. And can we talk about that ghost story? Holy twist I didn't see coming! I actually got pretty nervous there for a bit--that Emily chick is pretty scary! I flew through the pages. This is definitely a novel capable of being read in one sitting. You'll WANT to read it all in one sitting, it's THAT good.

--Jessi

How do you juggle blogging and life?

Hi everyone! This is Tahleen, one member of the very busy Broke and Bookish team. I don't know about any of you, but lately I'm finding it hard to find time and the energy to continue blogging at the rate I've been doing previously. I really love this community, and I love being a part of such an awesome team, but man, is it challenging!

The reasons I'm so busy are as follows: wedding planning (seven month countdown starting today), house hunting, school, part-time work, finding the time to spend with family and friends. It's a lot to deal with, and I'm trying my best to find time for everything.

Now don't get me wrong. I don't plan on quitting, but I do wonder how so many of us in the blogging world are able to fit in all the time to read and review and create discussions. How do you all do it?

I know that I fit in reading time by listening to audiobooks, which are a godsend, really. I love having a story to occupy my time on the road, and I do spend a lot of time on the road, what with visiting my fiance a half-hour away and commuting to Boston for school twice a week, plus all the little trips I take for errands, visits, activities, etc.

I also read e-books on my nook when I go to the gym. There is a handy little ledge on which it sits perfectly. I've read at least three books since I've rejoined my gym in August, which might not sound like a lot, but I'm only reading for 30-45 minutes at a time there after all.

As for the reviews, well, that's where I lose my steam. It's hard for me to sit down and write them now, since I feel like I'm always going somewhere or doing something else that is more pressing. I have read far more books this year than have written reviews. My problem is finding the motivation to write them, and taking the time to do it.

What are your tricks, tips or trials when it comes to finding a place for reading and blogging in your life?

Julia's Top Ten Books I Had Strong Emotions Over

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

For future Top Ten Tuesday topics through February, check them out here!

Hey everyone! Julia here. It's time to take a look down memory lane. What were those books that made you laugh so hard you fell out of your chair? The ones that made tears stain the pages in front of you? The ones that had you so angry you hurled it across the room? Today on The Broke and the Bookish Top Ten Tuesday....

Top Ten Books I Had Strong Emotions Over

1. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
I think this is the only anger on my list so let's just get this out of the way. First off, though I am loathe to admit it, I actually enjoyed Twilight. My LiveJournal was full of critical reviews, mostly positive. When I read New Moon, I was a little ... judgmental of our protagonist. I think it was the blank pages when I first went "Really?". But I read it and whatever. I have opinions, I wont give them here. Eclipse, however, I literally slammed the book shut three times. I can't remember each point specifically, but I was just... disgusted. I never read Breaking Dawn.

2. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
I bawled so hard through the last 100 pages of that book, I had to take breaks to clear my vision.

3. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
I can't place the exact emotion that I emoted, but I do remember that this book gave me that "Wow omg" of a 13 year old. I may have even been younger that that when I actually read it. To be honest I am afraid to go back and read it, because I want to hold on to my warped memory of it.

4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I read this in high school and just though it was so powerful. It filled me with, well, empowerment I guess (is that even an emotion? I don't know). It just was ... wow.

5. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Every time I read this book, without fail, I cry. The raging tears or quit trickle depend on the stage and moment of my life, but still. Water leaks from my eyelids.

6. The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy
Another wow book that also made me cry. I was so attached to the characters that by the end when things were hitting fans and climaxes were coming to a head with secrets revealed... wow. Enthralled tears.

7. Movies in 15 Minutes: The Ten Biggest Movies Ever For People Who Can't Be Bothered by Cleolinda Jones
This book, and all the Movies in 15 Minutes that are online, are so freaking hilarious. I could read them for hours. They never fail to bring me to tears, but with laughter. (Jeez with all these tears I am crying throughout this list I must sound like an emotional wreck!) Anyway, if you have never heard of her and want to check out a sample, the online ones can all be found here. Hilarious.

8. The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani
I couldn't give you too many details about why this was an emoted tag for me, but I do remember that it was a genuinely sweet and heartbreaking coming of age story for a girl in ancient Persia. It was a lovely read.

9. The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible As Literally As Possible by A.J. Jacobs
Jumping back into comedy, this book is comedy gold. Literally trying to live the old testament. My favorite image of this book was him having to buy a stool because one of the rules was he couldn't sit where a woman who was menstruating had sat and his wife went around sitting on all the furniture on purpose. Priceless!

10. Another Place at the Table by Kathy Harrison
This book is a memoir about one woman's life long journey as a foster mother. At the time I was wondering what it would like to someday be a foster parent, and there was surprisingly little literature I could find, but in my search I found this book. The story is mostly about her start with fostering and the story just flowed... it really ran the gamut of emotions.


Other books on my Goodreads 'Emoted' Shelf not on the list mostly because I have reviewed them or they are really popular and I was going for the out there choice:
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Hunger Games, The Book Thief (and any Holocaust/WWII book I have read ever), the Harry Potter series (book 5 and 7 especially), The Kite Runner, stories about daughters in ancient China, Flowers for Algernon, Titanic books, I am the Messenger and various romance novels.

PS: I am so exhausted I just number this list 1, 2, 5